Trump Mandates 'Classical Architecture' for DC's Federal Buildings
By: Klaus Marre (WhoWhatWhy)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Klaus Marre08/29/25
Just to make sure that he is really checking every box in the "How to Be a Dictator" handbook, Donald Trump on Thursday issued an executive order that requires federal buildings in Washington to be given a "classical" look.
Specifically, that means their appearance should be modeled after the "forms, principles, and vocabulary of the architecture of Greek and Roman antiquity."
The desire to give their capital cities an especially grandiose look is a common theme for authoritarians. Roman architecture, in particular, seems to be a popular choice in that regard because these leaders also tend to be megalomaniacs, and they like to envision themselves in the role of a Caesar who leads an all-powerful empire.
To be fair, it's not just the preferred look of dictators. Many of the original federal buildings in Washington, DC, also mirrored this classical style.
The difference is that the Founding Fathers were not motivated by Rome's military might, but rather by its (and ancient Greece's) democratic ideals. To them, buildings like the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court were monuments reflecting those principles (which makes it somewhat ironic that actual memorials were later built in their honor).
The executive order even makes reference to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, noting that they "consciously modeled the most important buildings in Washington, D.C., on the classical architecture of ancient Athens and Rome," and that they "sought to use classical architecture to visually connect our contemporary Republic with the antecedents of democracy in classical antiquity, reminding citizens not only of their rights but also their responsibilities in maintaining and perpetuating its institutions."
Trump, of course, embodies none of these ideals and he is working hard to undermine American institutions in pursuit of power.
Conversely, he is certainly obsessed with being immortalized, for example by being added to Mount Rushmore, having his likeness appear on some form of US currency, or being given the Nobel Peace Prize.
Since those things aren't happening (yet), he has to make do with massive banners with his visage being displayed outside of federal buildings like the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Labor… and, as of Thursday, with reshaping the capital's architecture.
Of course, it could be worse. At least the classical style he is championing in the executive order is aesthetically appealing.
That is not something that can be said about Trump's sense of beauty, which includes smearing a thick layer of makeup on his face each day, women in his orbit displaying "Mar-a-Lago face" because the president seems to like that trashy look, and covering every inch of the Oval Office with gaudy decorations and baubles.
So let's at least count ourselves lucky that the next federal building constructed in the nation's capital (likely) won't be covered in gold leaf.
Sorry everyone, this is dictator shit.
I think it is esthetic maintenance. The nation's capital has a certain look which ought to be maintained. It is of the Classical Roman style:
Why would we want to demean it with a lot of basic ugly buildings?
The same could be said for the amalgamated look of the buildings in downtown Chicago:
They go together so well, and no other city has that look.
The President is a man of ideas and the idea of continuity for the nation's capital is a good one.
Has Washington DC been putting up ugly government buildings ? I havent heard of that particular emergency yet.
John, this is the building for the Department of transportation:
and ?
Mies Van der Rohe is considered one of the most important architects of the 20th century. This is a federal government building he designed in Chicago. Been there for 60 years.
It's terrible. It's like a soviet apartment complex with a nicer first floor.
If it were destroyed tomorrow, no one would care.
People are entitled to their opinion. I have gone past the federal building plaza in Chicago more times than I coud count and I always thought it was pretty impressive.
I like the "Roman" stuff in DC too.
The real issue is why the fuck Trump thinks it is up to him to decide. Isnt he going to be gone in 3 1/2 years, before any new building will be built? Trump is desperate for something to be remembered by.
“Applicable Federal public buildings should uplift and beautify public spaces, inspire the human spirit, ennoble the United States, and command respect from the general public,” the order states. “They should also be visually identifiable as civic buildings and, as appropriate, respect regional architectural heritage.”
The average normal person should have no problem with these requirements.....we see some atrocious examples of architecture these days, ugly boxes of ticky tacky.
Malvina Reynolds - Little Boxes (Weeds Theme Song) Full Version with Lyrics
Where is the authority given for this instance of pure ego?
a model of "Germania", Hitlers personal plan for the remaking of Berlin
Hitler also hung banners of himself all over state buildings
yep
They are supposed to be dead and part of history before they get their face on banners on government buildings. This isnt North Korea.
Are you sure?
With dozens of government agencies being shuttered what do we need more buildings for?
So Demented Donny can hang more banners with his face on them
As if we were planning to throw up a bunch of new buildings, I guess. We’re so busy closing the ones we have, that that seems unlikely.
With so many homeless in D.C., wouldn't it be wiser to utilize those facilities being closed for the homeless?
That sounds lovely.
Don't be ridiculous. The homeless need to be punished.